NGCSU moving to NCAA Division II Peach Belt Conference
NGCSU Sports Information,
Director Chris
Busby, 706-867-3250
Digest
Extra
DAHLONEGA, Ga. - North Georgia College &
State University President Nathaniel Hansford, NGCSU Athletics Director
Randy Dunn, and Peach Belt Conference Commissioner Marvin Vanover announced
Dec. 13 that the Saints athletics program will be competing in the Peach
Belt Conference beginning fall 2005.
The move marks the first step for North Georgia
athletics to become a member of the National Collegiate Athletic
Association. This also marks the culmination of a seven-year process that
the NGCSU administration has undertaken to move the Saints athletics program
into the most prestigious college athletic association in the nation.
"North Georgia has been planning for a move to the NCAA
for several years and the first step has now occurred with our acceptance in
the Peach Belt Conference," said Hansford. "Peach Belt Conference member
institutions have outstanding academic and athletic programs and we are
proud to be a part of this conference, a perfect fit for North Georgia."
Beginning in the summer of 2005, North Georgia will
begin a four-year probation period to become a member of the NCAA and
Division II. The Saints will begin competition in Division II and the Peach
Belt in fall 2005, but will not be eligible for post-season play until the
probation period ends. The university may apply for a waiver of the final
two years of probation at the end of the first year and could become a full
member of the NCAA in fall 2007 if the waiver is approved.
"This is one of the proudest moments in NGCSU athletics
history," Dunn said.
"Being accepted as a member of the Peach Belt
Conference is a dream come true. Our goal is to bring positive recognition
and championship caliber teams to an already strong and respected
conference. I have always respected the institutions associated with the
Peach Belt Conference and recognized it as a class organization with class
people."
"This is mutually beneficial for the Peach Belt and
North Georgia and will have a positive impact for both the conference and
university," Vanover said. "The reputation of North Georgia,
athletically and academically, is what the Peach Belt looks for. The
decision to admit North Georgia was unanimously approved by our board."
The Peach Belt Conference is one of the premier
athletic conferences in Division II. The conference has produced 21 NCAA
national championship teams in its 14-year history. This past year, two of
its members won a national championship, Kennesaw State University in men's
basketball and women's soccer, and University of South Carolina Aiken in
men's golf. The Peach Belt sponsors 12 sports for championship competition.
Vanover added, "North Georgia has the opportunity to be
competitive in all sports, and with Kennesaw State and the University of
North Florida moving to Division I, scheduling will be available in all
sports."
North Georgia sponsors 10 intercollegiate varsity
sports and is currently a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference
in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Saints would
withdraw their membership from the NAIA at the end of the 2005 spring sports
season.
"For many years, we had a great relationship with the
NAIA and SSAC and appreciate the opportunity to have been involved in it,"
said Hansford.
North Georgia has been continually at the top of
conference, region, and national standings since it reestablished its
athletics programs in 1971. NGCSU has won a combined 30 conference titles
and four region titles in 33 years. In 1987, the women's basketball program
finished second in the nation and women's basketball, baseball, and softball
have all been ranked in the top 10 in the NAIA national polls this year.
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